The Quick and Dirty Guide to Getting Started with Kigurumi(a list of various pieces of gear with price tiering)

Getting started in kig can be daunting due to the fact that high quality masks of an Anime character can easily set you back $1000 or more; however, you can get in for just exactly that too. This little guide will break down and explain the differences in tiers and terms you will see while ordering from various makers.

Tier 1 (quick, dirty, and sexy?)

This tier will get you in with the smallest investment but comes with some caveats I’ll go over on each

Instead of a hadatai from a maker, you can get pretty much any cheap flesh tone zentai for about $40 US. My first was a Milanoo but anything off Amazon works fine here. The downside is that they are usually shiny and not matte leading to the mask and bodysuit colors looking off.

Next up is shape enhancement. This is kinda all on you at low tier. If you need boobs any enhancer will do: socks, push up bras, foam sleep…

2018 has been a major year for me, with plenty of ups and downs both in and outside of cosplaying. It won't be much longer to the day one year ago that Irina came to my doorstep and I feel it is time to reflect on my first year as an animegao cosplayer.

This is not the first time I have been to this venue for this event, in-fact, it is my third time. I have to attribute this being possible to my younger brother as, although I have an automatic driving license, I cannot afford to maintain even a basic car (and some of us do know what insurance and road tax can amount to).

The sensations I experienced this time was a complete contrast on past occasions and, make no mistake, my mindset was completely different. I was actually quite popular with the kids and their grandparents. Interestingly, I never…

In order to truly tell this story, we must go back in time. Way back to Otakon 2001.

*Jumps into Delorean and hits 88MPH*

Back then, I was a budding young crossplayer, living a completely sheltered life, while dealing with a constant migraine from a neck injury. I was just… existing…

During the day when I was cosplaying at Otakon ‘01 I believe, I ran across Yuri. I can’t remember what she was wearing, but I remember everyone’s reaction, and I am sorry to say, it wasn’t positive. I honestly didn’t like their reaction, as I found kigu fascinating. But in my stupid youth, I went along with my friends and never saw her again.

Afterwards, I spent some time looking for websites on what I saw. This was back in the day of dial-up, ass-slow Internet, and Google was not yet a…

A couple of weeks ago, AN2016 in Toronto became a main attraction for the cosplay and kigurumi communities. Although it was a great experience for all attendees, it was actually quite hot and humid compared to last year's gathering. Here is my latest Ahri's Diary entry on 5 tips on surviving the heat:

1) Water - when you are in full zentai, foundation garments, padding, etc. you will inevitably sweat like a pig. I don't know where this idiom comes from considering that pigs only a few sweat glands — compared with more than 2 million in humans. Sorry, I digress. Let's just say that you will lose a lot a water due to perspiration (which can be a bit stinky. Pee-you!! So ladies, please don't forget to apply a generous of deodorant). Staying well hydrated is a must. Water would be a key component. For those that need more calories, there are always sports drinks for considerations.blog 3.jpg2) Caffeine - stay away from the cup of java or another swig of that dark cola. …

Let's face it, when it comes to Kigging - it can and will get pricey. This art form is not without its share of financial investment. What hobby or club do you know of that is "free" or has little monetary investment?Many sports incur some sort of cost like golf - shoes, clothing, golf clubs, lessons and green fees. Video gaming has a price tag - the electricity, the game system and controllers, the internet charges, the games themselves and the hundreds of hours spent in front of a screen.

Between the different Kig cosplay outfits, the undergarments and its contraptions, the videos and photos to learn to mimic your desired Kigurumi character, the cost of attending various global conventions (travel, hotel stay, food, convention prices), and not to mention the coveted mask - Kigging can become an expensive adventure. Since this is my first exposure to the world of Kigurumi, I'd be lying if I told you that I knew how each of the masks are constructed and which is better. …

Information on Kigurumi as a hobby performing art is very difficult to track down. Most of the information out there consists of stories heard second hand, and lost websites on the Internet. So of course all of it is true. ;). There are rivalries, and language barriers, and several technology incompatibilities, which must be taken into account when trying to collect facts.

For this article, I have tried as much as possible, to go directly to the source people and their websites, for their personal recollections. I have also had others who tracked down information on their own and have made significant contributions. To all of you, I express my hearty thanks.

There are performers I know of, who I have lost touch with, and so have not included. Other performers preferred not to comment, and so have been excluded. If you have information that you would like to…